WASHINGTON, Mar 5 – President Barack Obama said he was extending existing US sanctions on Zimbabwe for one year, on the grounds that the deep political crisis gripping the country remained unresolved.
"I am continuing for one year the national emergency with respect to the actions and policies of certain members of the Government of Zimbabwe," Obama said in a statement.
Under US law, Obama was required to inform Congress by Friday that he intended to continue the sanctions regime targeting members of the Zimbabwe government, or they would lapse.
"The crisis constituted by the actions and policies of certain members of the Government of Zimbabwe and other persons to undermine Zimbabwe’s democratic processes or institutions has not been resolved," he said in a separate message to Congress.
"These actions and policies pose a continuing unusual and extraordinary threat to the foreign policy of the United States.
"For these reasons, I have determined that it is necessary to continue this national emergency and to maintain in force the sanctions to respond to this threat."
About The Author
